Device for shutting off gases from pipe lines



Jan. 8, 1952 J.v T. CRONKHITE DEVICE FOR SHUTTING OFF GASES FROM PIPELINESI Filed Aug. 22, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET l m3Am m .i..

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DEVICE FOR SHUTTING OFF GASES FROM PIPE LINES Patented Jan. S, 1.952

PIPE LINES l John T. Cronkhite, Tulsa, Okla.V Application August 22,1947, serial No. 770,052

(c1. 1er-68) 11 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for shutting oil' gases from pipelines, particularly the pipe line leading from a battery of eld tanks ina petroleum producing area to the gathering pump supplying a main pipeline, the present invention beingan improvement on the apparatusdisclosed in Patent No. 2,210,751 issued to me August 6, 1940.

The shutoff device of the patent operates auto matically to shut offflow when the tanks empty,

thereby preventing air from being dra-wn into the gathering line, but itrequires ymanual tripping of the valve when the flow is to be resumed.Therefore, the principal object of the present in vention is to providesuch a device with automatic tripping means so that when the head of aliquid again rises in the tank the flow to the gathering pump `inautomatically re-establishod.

Other lobjects of the invention are to provide an entirely automaticshutoff and flow control mechanism that lis `of simple construction,positive in voperation and which isvprovided with dual outlets fordischarge `of liquid from the tank into the main line.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an automatic shutodevice with a manual trip means so that the float valving member may beunseated whenever it is desired to establish flow to the gathering pipeline independently of the automatic tripping means.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I vhaveprovided improved structure, the preferred form of which is illustratedin the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. l is a vertical section through an autematic shutoff and controldevice constructed in accordance with the `present invention and showing the va-lving members in closed position to in-1 terrupt flow andprevent air from being drawn into the gathering line.

Fig. 2 is a similar view but showing the va-lving members in unseatedposition for establishing iiow to the gathering pipe line.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section illustrating one of the openings andclosure thereof through which access may be had to adjust the oat valvethe-terminal end of the pipe line I and the inlet of the pipe line 2v isan automatic shutoff and controlv device 3 embodying the featuresof thepresent invention.

The device 3 includes a valve bo'dly 4 'having a top 5, a bottom i6, endWalls '1-8, side walls I0 and a partition ll intermediate the top andbottom to form .passageways vI2 'and' rI3.

The top 5 .and .partition II, together with the side walls I0, projectbeyond the .end wall '8 to form a neck I4 for connection with the pipeI. for example, the vneck and pipe may be provided with mating flangesI5 and I6 which are secured together by fastening devices such las boltsl1. If desired, a suitable gasket I8 or the like may be inserted betweenthe flanges. Similar neck I9 is formedat the opposite end by extendingthe partitien Il and bottom 6 together with the .side walls l0 and theneck I9` may be provided with aflange 26 :that is kconnected with asimilar flange 2| on the gathering line 2 .by fastening devices such asbolts 22. The partition isprovided at .points intermediate the end walls'l .and 8 with ports `2li and .24` .that are encircled by valve seats 25and 26 through which iiovv connections are provided between the.passageways I2 .and I 3. Formed in the `top 5 in axial registry withthe port 24 is .an opening 21 encircled by outwardly offset llange 2.8having internal threads 2.9. Turned :into the threads andsupported bythecollar is the threaded end 360i a cylindrical body 3l providingasubstantially elongated chamber 3.2 for guidingl a float 33. The float33 preferably inclu-des a-cylindrical body having a seating face 3i onits lower end to engage the seat 26 and close .flow through the port2-4. The float Vis of a length to `provide the desired Ibuoyancy andextends upwardly through the opening s2?! :into the fioat chamber .asshown -in Fig. .1.1 The lower endof the float is guided` for movement-across the passageway I2 by ngers 35 that extend vupward-1y from .themarginal. edge of :the seat 26 and-.curve inwardly toward theedge oftheopening 2:1. The tubular body f3'I may comprise a' section rof pipe andis of a length 4softhat the float '3'3` may be entirely received thereinto avoid blocking oi now throng-little passageway vlf2 whenthe' float isunseated and also-'toprovide a space -36 above the float when inunseated postion. rl-he upper end of the tubular bo'dy'is' closed by apipecap or the' like 31 that is threaded thereon as shown in Fig. 1. Y

When the float is in seated position as shown in Fig. 1, the port isclosed to' stop lflow from the pipe I to the pipe 12, thereby'preventing `drawing of air into the pipe 2` when the tank or tanks runout of liquid. When the head of liquid is contained within the tanks andthe float .has been unsea'ted, the float rises within the float chamberand the 'liquid' flows from the' pipe i through the passageway' I2 and"port 2`4 to the passageway I3V andv pipe '2` as shown in Fig. 2l Thefloat in its uppermost position aslshown in Fig. 2 also controls a ventmechanism 38 as now to be described.

Formed in the cap 31 is an opening 39 having internal threads 40 forengaging' the threads of a plug 4I, the opening 39 being of a diameterto permit removal of the working parts of the venting mechanism uponremoval of the plug as later described. Formed in the plug 4| is aninternally threaded opening 42 and engaged therein is a fitting 43 thathas a reduced threaded portion 44 extending into the space 33 and whichsupports a venting valve 45 through which air and gas entrapped withinthe space 36 is vented to atmosphere under control of a shutoff valve 45that is actuated by the float 33 or a float 41 later described. Thevalve 45 includes axial bores 48 and 49 opening inwardly from therespective ends thereof to provide valve chambers for a ball check 50and a shutoi valve member 46, the chambers being interconnected througha port Encircling the port 5| on the respective sides thereof are seats52 and 53 for the respective valving members. The ball valve is normallyretained on its seat by gravity and is readily displaced by any pressurecontained within the space 36 when the valve 46 is unseated. The lowerend of the shutoi valve chamber is closed by a bushing 54 having anaxial bore 55 forming a guide for a stem 56 that depends from theshutoff valve into the space 36 and mounts a iioat 41 thereon. The valve46 is provided with a coned end 51 that is adapted to engage the seat 53and which is provided with ports 58 that connect with an axial bore 59extending downwardly through the valve stem and opening into the space36 at the lower end thereof.

The portion of the valve stem mounting the float 41 is externallythreaded to mount adjusting nuts 60 and 6| at the respective ends of theoat to adjustably position the iioat for the diierent levels to becarried in the float chamber. Fixed to the lower end of the ioat is oneend of a coil spring 62 that is adapted to be engaged by the float 33when the iioat is in its upper most position as shown in Fig. 2. Thefitting 42 has an axial bore 63 forming an outlet from the check valvechamber 48 and whichl is connected by an L 61 having a nipple 68carrying downturned elbow 69 in which is threaded a relatively shortpipe section so as to provide a return bend and thereby prevent entranceof rain water into the float chamber.

When the float valve is in closed position, means must be provided forunseating the valve. In accordance with the present invention, both anautomatic and manual means is provided as now to be described.

Formed in the top 5 in axial alignment with the port 23 is an opening 1|encircled by an oiset annular flange 12 having internal threads 13 formounting a nipple or relatively short pipe section 14 that has itsopposite end closed by a pipe cap that is preferably threaded onto theupper end of a nipple as shown in the drawings. The nipple thus providesa substantially cylindrical chamber 16 for containing an expandablepiston 11 adapted to be actuated by hydrostatic head acting in thepassageway |2 to unseat a valve 18 and actuate an arm 19 to eiectunseating of the float valve 33.

The valve 18 and arm 19 areadjustably carried upon a threaded end 80 ofa stem 8| which extends vertically across the passageway I2 with thelower end extending through the port 23 into the passageway |3 and itsupper end extending into the piston chamber 16. The valve 18 ispositioned on the stem within the passageway 2 by' jam nuts 82 and 83mounted on the threaded portion of the stem to engage the respectivesides of the valve. The arm 19 is positioned within the passageway I3and has an apertured end 84 secured on the terminal end of the stem -byjam nuts 85. The opposite end of the arm extends laterally in thepassageway I3 and terminates in a nger 86 which registers with the port24 and is adapted to engage the oat and effect rising of the oat fromits seat upon upward reciprocation of the valve stem under action of thepiston. The piston 11 includes a bulb-like body 81 formed of relativelythin resilient material such as rubber and has a head portion 88 and aslightly outwardly bulging skirt portion 89 positioned in closeproximity tothe inner wall of the cylinder when the valve is in closedposition as shown in Fig. 1. The lower end of the skirt portion of thebulb carries a ring-shaped weight 90 to which an inturned portion of theskirt is attached in any suitable manner and which encircles the valvestem to provide ample passageway for flow of liquid into the internalportion of the piston as shown in Fig. 2. The head 88 has an aperture 92and is clampingly supported between washers 93 and 94 carried betweenjam nuts 95 and 96 on a threaded terminal 91 of the valve stem.

In order to vent the piston chamber the cap 15 is provided with an axialopening 98 through which air is adapted to be vented when the pistonmoves in an upward direction and to admit air when the piston moves in adownward direction to eect closure of the valve 18. In order to seal thevent 95when the piston is in its upper position, the head of the pistoncarries a cup-shaped sealing member 99 that is clamped between the upperwasher 93 and a Washer |80 against which the nut 95 is seated. The cuphas a resilient annular flange |0| which engages the inner face of thecap in encircling relation with the opening 98 when the piston is in itsup permost position as shown in Fig. 2.

When the liquid discharges from the interior of the piston 11, theweight 90 is suicient to straighten the skirt portion 89 suiiiciently topermit fall of the piston under its own weight supplemented by theweight of the valve stem 8| and parts carried thereby so as to effectseating of the valve as now to be described.

At times it may be desirable to eiect manual unseating of the floatvalve 33. This may be effected by providing an arm |02 similar to thearm 19 and which has a nger |03 adapted to extend alongside the finger86 so that it may be projected through the port 24 upon lifting of a rod|04 to which the arm is attached. The rod |04 extends through a suitablepacking gland |05 in the neck 9 and has a suitable handle |06 by whichit may be grasped to raise the rod. In order to permit connection andadjustment of the arms 19 and |02, the sides of the valve casing may beprovided with ports |01 that are closed by plates |08 as shown in Fig.3.

Assuming that the device is constructed and assembled as described andthat it is connected between the pipe lines and 2 as shown in thedrawings, when the tanks are emptied of liquid, the valve 18 and floatvalve 33 will be seated since the liquid in the passageway |2 is not ofsucient height to reach the piston 11. Therefore, air cannot be drawnthrough the tanks into the pipe line 2 and any gas pressure tending toaccumulate in the tank will be vented through the iioat chamber 32, thebore 55 of the valve stem 52, port i, and bore 63` to atmosphere. Uponinlet of liquid through the pipe I, the liquid may tend to foam and thefoam will push upwardly within the float chamber but very little foamcan pass into the relatively small inlet of the bore 55 of the valvestem 56. The foam will, therefore, be trapped within the space at thetop of the float chamber and be compressed by the liquid rising therein.As the head of 4liquid rises it enters the piston chamber 'I6 and passesthrough the opening of the ring-shaped weight 90 into the bulb-like bodyof the piston so that the pressure acts against the circumferentialskirt 89 thereof to effect a sufficient seal between the piston andcylinder T4 for the Vrising hydrostatic head to move the piston upwardlywithin its cylinder and thereby unseat the valve 18. This movement alsobrings the finger 86 on the arm 19 into contact with the float 33 tolift and unseat the float from closing relation with the port 24. Thisis readily effected because the valve 'I8 in unseating effectssubstantial equalization in pressures between the passageways I2 and I3.As the liquid continues to rise, the sealing cup 99 on the head of thepiston engages the cap 'I5 to seal around the vent opening 98 and thefloat contacts the end of the spring 62 to eifect movement of the valved5 into engagement with its seat 53 to close the port" 5I. The liquidthen flows through both ports 23 and 2li into the passageway I3 and intothe pipe 2 under suction of the gathering pump (not shown). In case theow should be interrupted in the pipe I as when the tank nears emptiness,the liquid will flow out of the piston 'I'I so that the weight 90 iseffective in permitting the valve IS to drop to seated position whichmoves the finger 8B out of the port 24. The liquid, however, willcontinue to flow through the port 24 until the head of liquid in thefloat chamber drops to the point where the float valve 33 seats andcloses the port 24. This will be effected before the liquid seal isbroken to the line 2. Therefore, air and gas that may accumulate in thetank cannot be discharged with the liquid into the gathering line tointerfere with operation of the pump or other equipment in the gatheringsystem. Any air resulting from filling of the tank or evaporation ofliquid will pass into the float chamber and move upwardly and dischargethrough the bore of the valve stem 55.

Should a large quantity of light foamy liquid be discharged through thepipe I before the float Valve is unseated by the automatic unseatingmechanism, the float lll will be eifective to cause closing of the port5I so that light liquid is prevented from being discharged by way of thevent mechanism. If for any reason it becomes desirable to manuallyunseat the float 33, this may be effected by grasping the handle |06 andlifting the rod IEM which raises the arm |82 to bring the nger thereoninto engagement with the float and effecting unseating of the floatvalve 33 independently of the automatic mechanism.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a device forventing air `and gas from a liquid flow system and which prevents airand gas from entering the lines of a gathering system. It is alsoobvious that I have provided a simple and inexpensive construction whichis adapted for enti-rely automatic operation to assure discharge of theliquid when a hydrostatic head accumulates in the eld tank or tanks andwhich functions automatically to shut off the inlet to the gatheringline when the liquid is' emptied.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with liquid supplying and gathering pipe lines, a flowconnection between said pipe lines, means in said connection forautomatically shutting off flow of liquid' responsive to lackof liquidin the supply line, and separate means responsive to liquid in thesupply line and carrying a lifting portion engageable with said shut-offmeans for automatically opening the shutoff means to establish flow ofliquid from the supply line to the gathering line.

2. In combination with liquid supplying and gathering pipe lines, a owconnection between said pipe lines, float means in said connection forautomatically shutting olf ow of liquid responsive to lack of liquid inthe supply line, and means responsive to liquid in the supply line andcarrying a lifting portion engageable with said float means forautomatically raising the float means toestablish ow of liquid from thesupply line to the gathering line.

3. An vapparatus of the character described including a valve casinghaving a iiow passageway adapted for connection to a liquid supply lineand a flow passageway adapted to be connected with a gathering line,said :dow passageways being interconnected by a port in said casing, ariser pipe connected with the valve casing and having connection withthe first named flow passageway in axial alignment with said port, a oatvalve movable in the riser pipe upon flow of liquid into the riser pipefrom said passageway and adapted to close said port upon discharge ofliquid from the riser pipe, iioat unseating means connected with theValve casinug and responsive to presence of liquid in said rst namedpassageway, and means carried by the oat unseating means and engageablewith the float valve for automatically unseating the float Valve.

4. An apparatus of the character described including a valve casinghaving a ow passageway adapted for connection to a liquid supply lineand a flow passageway adapted to be connected with a gathering line,said iiow passageways beying interconnected by a port in said casing, a

riser pipe connected with the valve casing and having connection withthe iirst named flow passageway in axial alignment with said port, afloat valuve movable in the riser pipe upon flow of liquid into theriser pipe from said passageway and adapted to close said port upondischarge of liquid from the riser pipe, a piston cylinder carried bythe valve casing, a piston slidable in the cylinder responsive topressure of the liquid in said supply line, and means connected with thepiston for unseating said iloat valve.

5. An apparatus of the character described including a valve casinghaving a flow passageway adapted for connection to a liquid supply lineand a flow passageway adapted to be connected with a gathering line,said iiow passagewayvbeing interconnected by a port in said casing, ariser pipe connected with the Valve casing and having connection withthe first named flow passageway in axial alignment with said port, afloat valve movable in the riser pipe upon flow of liquid into the riserpipe from said passageway and adapted to close said port upon dischargeof liquid from the riser pipe, a piston cylinder carried by the valvecasing, a piston slidable in the cylinder and having an expandableportion movable into contact with the cylinder lunder hydroassaiosnection with the first named flow pasageway in axial alignment with saidport, a Iioat valve movable in the riser pipe upon flow of liquid intothe riser pipe from said passageway and adapted to close said port upondischarge of liquid from the riser pipe, a piston cylinder carried bythe valve casing, a piston slidable in the cylinder, hydrostaticpressure of liquid in said supply line, said casing having a portconnecting the passageways in coaxial alignment with the cylinder, a rodconnected with the piston and extending through said last named port, avalve on the rod for closing said last named port, and means on the endof the rod for engaging the float Valve to unseat the float valve uponupward movement of the piston.

"l, An apparatus of the character described including a valve casinghaving a flow passageway adapted for connection to a liquid supply lineand allow passageway adapted to be connected with a gathering line, saidflow passageway being interconnected by a port in said casing, a riserpipe connected with the valve casing and having connection with the rstnamed flow passageway in axial alignment with said port, a oat valvemovable in the riser pipe upon ow of liquid into the riser pipe fromsaid passageway and adapted to close said port upon discharge of liquidfrom the riser pipe, a piston cylinder carried by the valve casing, apiston slidable in the cylinder and having an expandable portion movableinto contact with the cylinder under hydrostatic pressure of liquid insaid supply line, said casing having a port connecting the passageway incoaxial alignment with the cylinder, a rod connected with the piston andextending through said last named port, a valve on the rod for closingsaid last named port, and means on the end of the rod for engaging thefloat valve to unseat the iioat valve upon forward movement of thepiston.

8. An apparatus of the character described including a valve casinghaving a flow passageway adapted for connection to a liquid supply lineand a ow passageway adapted to be connected with a gathering line, saidow passageway being interconnected by a port in said casing, a riserpipe connected with the-valve casing and having connection with the rstnamed ow passageway in axial alignment with said port, a oat valvemovable in the riser pipe upon ow of liquid into the riser pipe fromsaid passageway and adapted to close said port upon discharge of liquidfrom the riser pipe, a piston cylinder carried by the valve casing, apiston slidable in the cylinder and having an expandable portion movableinto contact with the cylinder under hydrostatic pressure of liquid insaid supply line, said casing having a port connecting the passageway incoaxial alignment with the cylinder, a rod connected with the piston andextending through said last named port, a valve on the rod for closingsaid last named port, means on the end of the rod for engaging the floatvalve to unseat the float valve upon upward movement of the piston, andseparate means for manually unseating the float.

9. An apparatus of the character described including a valve casinghaving a iiow passageway adapted for connection to a liquid supply lineand a flow passageway adapted to be connected with a gathering line,said flow passageway being interconnected by a port in said casing, ariser pipe connected with the valve casing and having connection withthe rst named flow passageway in axial alignment with said port, a floatvalve movable in the riser pipe upon iiow of liquid into the riser pipefrom said passageway and adapted to close said port upon discharge ofliquid from the riser pipe, valve means for venting the riser pipe andoperable responsive to movement of the iioat valve, a piston cylindercarried by the valve casing and having a vent port, a piston slidable inthe cylinder and having an expandable portion movable into contact withthe cylinder under hydrostatic pressure of liquid in said supply line,said casing having a port connecting the passageway in coaxial alignmentwith the cylinder, a rod connected with the piston and extending throughsaid port, a valve on the rod for closing said port, and means on theend of the rod for engaging the float valve to unseat the float valveupon upward movement of the piston.

10. An apparatus of the character described including a valve casinghaving a iiow passageway adapted for connection to a liquid supply lineand a iiow passageway adapted to be connected with a gathering line,said flow passageway being interconnected by a pair of ports in saidcasing, a riser pipe connected with the valve casing and havingconnection with the rst named flow passageway in axial alignment withone of said ports, a oat valve movable in the riser pipe upon flow ofliquid into the riser pipe from said passageway and adapted to closesaid last mentioned port upon discharge of liquid from the riser pipe,valve means for venting the riser pipe and operable responsive tomovement of the float valve, a piston cylinder carried by the valvecasing and havingr a vent port, a piston slidable in the cylinder andhaving an expandable portion movable into contact with the cylinderunder hydrostatic pressure of liquid in said supply line, a valveconnected with the piston for controlling the other of said ports, meanscarried by said Valve and engageable with the oat valve for unseatingthe float valve, and means on the piston for sealing the vent port ofthe cylinder in one position of the piston.

l1. An apparatus of the character described including a valve casinghaving dual ports, a float valve controlling one of said ports, apressure actuated valve controlling the other port, and means carried bythe pressure actuated valve to unseat the oat valve.

JOHN T. CRONKHITE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,556,760 Conrader Oct. 13, 19252,045,909 Haralson June 30, 1936 2,210,751 Cronkhite Aug. 6, 19402,216,296 Raymond Oct. 1, 1940 2,239,590 Class Apr. 22, 1941 2,322,304Montgomery June 22, 1943 2,496,518 Candler Feb. 7, 1950

